News
26, Jun 2022
Communication and Media Students at the American University of Kuwait Visit STC
The Communication and Media Department at AUK arranged a fieldtrip to STC, a Kuwait-based telecommunications company, to familiarize students with PR departments in multi-national organizations and provide them with the opportunity to gain real-life experiences. Professor Iqbal Al-Haddad, instructor of communication, accompanied the students and planned the trip for those enrolled in her Public Relations Writing, Introduction to Mass Communication, International Case Studies in Public Relations, and PR Campaigns courses.
In his presentation to the students, the STC HR manager discussed the organization’s structure, introduced the board of directors, and discussed the roles of their executive managers. The STC PR managers also walked students through their internal and external PR and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. A tour of the offices was then given to the students.
“I believe that a trip of this kind adds a lot of benefit and value to the students where they can relate what they studied to the actual world. The majority were very much impressed of what they have seen and how the PR activities were implemented and executed, catering to various target audiences and for different causes,” stated Professor Al-Haddad. The students’ feedback was positive; many appreciated the opportunity to see their majors and coursework through a practical lens.
The COMM major is designed to help students become better consumers and producers of public information, strengthen their understanding of the role of communication in their personal, professional, and civic lives, and prepare them for private and public-sector leadership positions in communication-related and other fields.
To accomplish this, the communication and media program employs a flexible approach, exposing students to various branches such as advertising, journalism, public relations, and others. Laboratory courses sharpen students’ skills, lectures provide firm theoretical grounding, and internships enable students to view the profession from a variety of perspectives.
In his presentation to the students, the STC HR manager discussed the organization’s structure, introduced the board of directors, and discussed the roles of their executive managers. The STC PR managers also walked students through their internal and external PR and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. A tour of the offices was then given to the students.
“I believe that a trip of this kind adds a lot of benefit and value to the students where they can relate what they studied to the actual world. The majority were very much impressed of what they have seen and how the PR activities were implemented and executed, catering to various target audiences and for different causes,” stated Professor Al-Haddad. The students’ feedback was positive; many appreciated the opportunity to see their majors and coursework through a practical lens.
The COMM major is designed to help students become better consumers and producers of public information, strengthen their understanding of the role of communication in their personal, professional, and civic lives, and prepare them for private and public-sector leadership positions in communication-related and other fields.
To accomplish this, the communication and media program employs a flexible approach, exposing students to various branches such as advertising, journalism, public relations, and others. Laboratory courses sharpen students’ skills, lectures provide firm theoretical grounding, and internships enable students to view the profession from a variety of perspectives.
Group photo of AUK students at STC
16, Jun 2022
AUK College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences Holds Its First Capstone Exhibition
AUK College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) held its capstone exhibition at AUK. One hundred students presented their graduation projects during the exhibition, incorporating novel prototypes that combined their hardware and software skills. The event was open to students, alumni, parents, and industry representatives.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, emphasized the significance of CEAS capstones, “The capstone experience gives students the self-confidence necessary to problem-solve and provides them with opportunities to propagate a team spirit in service of others. Capstones are about contributing knowledge to improve lives. I’m proud of our students who have worked incredibly hard to make a difference and I’m truly grateful to the faculty and the dean of the College for their continued commitment to learning and exploration.”
A total of 26 teams of 3 and 4 members showcased their projects through informative posters, research papers, leaflets, and video displays. Supervised by faculty members of the College, students presented a wide range of prototypes such as Smart Helmets, Solar Powered Bikes, Smart Glasses, Dual Band GPS Antennas, Human Body Temperature Measuring Robots, Gesture Vocalizers and Self-parking Vehicles. Attendees were encouraged to vote for the best project through scanning QR codes allocated in each booth.
The event concluded with a closing ceremony at the AUK theater where the dean of CEAS, Dr. Amir Zeid, congratulated the students, “Today’s event showcased 26 capstone projects in different disciplines: computer and electrical engineering, computer science and information systems. We had around 100 students who have been working with their faculty supervisors for a full academic year to reach this important milestone. Congratulations to all.”
The closing ceremony also featured a keynote speech delivered by Ms. Khadija Oubala, CEO of Sultan Group, a Fulbright scholar, a recipient of the MIT Heather Smith Memorial Fellowship, and a member of Young Presidents Organization. In her speech to the attendees, she drew on her experiences to motivate students, “So, for all of you dear smart engineers, do not rely only on your intelligence alone. Put in the hours, and go above and beyond. Run that extra mile.”
A total of three winners were announced for the engineering category—the first-place winner was for project Fire-fighting Robot, by Noura Al-lahow, Dawood Boland, Shejon Alebrahim, Ali Abouzeid, and supervised by Dr. Mohammed El-Abd. The team highlighted AUK’s role in their capstone project, “Our accomplishments have been made possible through the facilitated support of many integral entities at AUK. Those include our professors, lab instructors, and of course, the dean and associate dean of Engineering. The overwhelming amount of support we received helped shape the people we are today. The campus as well has provided amenities required for completing our tasks and projects successfully. Those include the labs, equipment, and computer systems. Our journey was an endeavor filled with trial and error that was not severely punished as it is an environment that promotes learning from one's mistakes and becoming a better overall student in both a scholarly and characteristic sense.”
The second-place winner for the engineering project award was Augmented Reality for Educational Purposes, by Almuntaser AbdulSalam, Ahmad Aldulaie, Amer Alazemi, and supervised by Dr. Seyed Esmaeili.
The third-place winner was the 3D Hologram Fans, by Ahmad Y Musallam, Omar W AlQalsh, Abdulhadi A AlQattan, Hashim B Kheitan, and supervised by Dr. Ali Bostani.
Mobile App for 3D Augmented Reality for Sport Wear and Equipment—Fit Kit, was the winning project award for the computer science and information systems category. The project was implemented by Amir AlAghbar, Mustafa Karkour, David Liang, Rassim Melaab, and supervised by Dr. Iyad Abu Doush. “We’re very proud of our accomplishment after all the hard work, dedication, and teamwork to overcome the many challenges we’ve faced. We would like to thank the CSIS faculty, especially our advisor Dr. Iyad A. Doush, for their guidance and instruction that accumulated into our final project. We also extend our gratitude to AUK students who supported us and our work during the last two semesters. Lastly, we want to thank the community for coming and supporting us during the exhibition. It was a great experience,” stated one of the team members.
Typing Eye, was the winning project award for the student choice award. The project was implemented by Abdullah H. Al-Dihani, Hamad Almutawa, Talal Al Shammari, Abdulhadi AlAjmi, and supervised by Dr. Jibran Yousafzai.
The CEAS exhibition offers a platform for students to showcase their talents and apply theory to practice through creating prototypes.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, emphasized the significance of CEAS capstones, “The capstone experience gives students the self-confidence necessary to problem-solve and provides them with opportunities to propagate a team spirit in service of others. Capstones are about contributing knowledge to improve lives. I’m proud of our students who have worked incredibly hard to make a difference and I’m truly grateful to the faculty and the dean of the College for their continued commitment to learning and exploration.”
A total of 26 teams of 3 and 4 members showcased their projects through informative posters, research papers, leaflets, and video displays. Supervised by faculty members of the College, students presented a wide range of prototypes such as Smart Helmets, Solar Powered Bikes, Smart Glasses, Dual Band GPS Antennas, Human Body Temperature Measuring Robots, Gesture Vocalizers and Self-parking Vehicles. Attendees were encouraged to vote for the best project through scanning QR codes allocated in each booth.
The event concluded with a closing ceremony at the AUK theater where the dean of CEAS, Dr. Amir Zeid, congratulated the students, “Today’s event showcased 26 capstone projects in different disciplines: computer and electrical engineering, computer science and information systems. We had around 100 students who have been working with their faculty supervisors for a full academic year to reach this important milestone. Congratulations to all.”
The closing ceremony also featured a keynote speech delivered by Ms. Khadija Oubala, CEO of Sultan Group, a Fulbright scholar, a recipient of the MIT Heather Smith Memorial Fellowship, and a member of Young Presidents Organization. In her speech to the attendees, she drew on her experiences to motivate students, “So, for all of you dear smart engineers, do not rely only on your intelligence alone. Put in the hours, and go above and beyond. Run that extra mile.”
A total of three winners were announced for the engineering category—the first-place winner was for project Fire-fighting Robot, by Noura Al-lahow, Dawood Boland, Shejon Alebrahim, Ali Abouzeid, and supervised by Dr. Mohammed El-Abd. The team highlighted AUK’s role in their capstone project, “Our accomplishments have been made possible through the facilitated support of many integral entities at AUK. Those include our professors, lab instructors, and of course, the dean and associate dean of Engineering. The overwhelming amount of support we received helped shape the people we are today. The campus as well has provided amenities required for completing our tasks and projects successfully. Those include the labs, equipment, and computer systems. Our journey was an endeavor filled with trial and error that was not severely punished as it is an environment that promotes learning from one's mistakes and becoming a better overall student in both a scholarly and characteristic sense.”
The second-place winner for the engineering project award was Augmented Reality for Educational Purposes, by Almuntaser AbdulSalam, Ahmad Aldulaie, Amer Alazemi, and supervised by Dr. Seyed Esmaeili.
The third-place winner was the 3D Hologram Fans, by Ahmad Y Musallam, Omar W AlQalsh, Abdulhadi A AlQattan, Hashim B Kheitan, and supervised by Dr. Ali Bostani.
Mobile App for 3D Augmented Reality for Sport Wear and Equipment—Fit Kit, was the winning project award for the computer science and information systems category. The project was implemented by Amir AlAghbar, Mustafa Karkour, David Liang, Rassim Melaab, and supervised by Dr. Iyad Abu Doush. “We’re very proud of our accomplishment after all the hard work, dedication, and teamwork to overcome the many challenges we’ve faced. We would like to thank the CSIS faculty, especially our advisor Dr. Iyad A. Doush, for their guidance and instruction that accumulated into our final project. We also extend our gratitude to AUK students who supported us and our work during the last two semesters. Lastly, we want to thank the community for coming and supporting us during the exhibition. It was a great experience,” stated one of the team members.
Typing Eye, was the winning project award for the student choice award. The project was implemented by Abdullah H. Al-Dihani, Hamad Almutawa, Talal Al Shammari, Abdulhadi AlAjmi, and supervised by Dr. Jibran Yousafzai.
The CEAS exhibition offers a platform for students to showcase their talents and apply theory to practice through creating prototypes.
Click on the image to view the photo gallery
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13, Jun 2022
AUK’s Office of Research and Grants Hosts KFAS Team
The Office of Research and Grants at AUK organized an event entitled, KFAS Programs for Research and Development. Held in the University’s campus, the event was presented by a team from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) that included, Dr. Maitham Safar, consultant and acting manager for the Research Grant Program; Dr. Ibtisam Hassan, manager of the Research Capacity Building Program; and Khaled Alawadhi, manager of the Research Support Office. The event sought to introduce the campus community to the various research programs offered by KFAS.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad welcomed the KFAS team and thanked them for collaborating with AUK as this would encourage more faculty, staff, and students to apply for the offered research grants. The director of the Office of Research and Grants, Dr. Iyad Abu Doush began the event by emphasizing AUK’s support for faculty, staff, and students in conducting research.
The KFAS team then proceeded with a presentation that outlined the research development in the foundation and introduced the new call for research proposals. This included the call for basic and applied research proposals as well as the call for young researcher proposals. The strategic objectives were to generate high-quality research, support and foster sustainable solutions to issues of national priority, and facilitate best research practices at institutional levels.
Concluding the event, Dr. Maitham Safar answered some questions about the KFAS research application and process asked by the faculty and staff who attended the event.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad welcomed the KFAS team and thanked them for collaborating with AUK as this would encourage more faculty, staff, and students to apply for the offered research grants. The director of the Office of Research and Grants, Dr. Iyad Abu Doush began the event by emphasizing AUK’s support for faculty, staff, and students in conducting research.
The KFAS team then proceeded with a presentation that outlined the research development in the foundation and introduced the new call for research proposals. This included the call for basic and applied research proposals as well as the call for young researcher proposals. The strategic objectives were to generate high-quality research, support and foster sustainable solutions to issues of national priority, and facilitate best research practices at institutional levels.
Concluding the event, Dr. Maitham Safar answered some questions about the KFAS research application and process asked by the faculty and staff who attended the event.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad; Director of the Office of Research and Grants, Dr. Iyad Abu Doush with KFAS representatives
02, Jun 2022
AUK Students Co-Author NATO Report
NATO-ICI Regional Center (NIRC) and the NATO Strategic Direction South-Hub held a joint study day to discuss “Maritime and Energy Security in the Gulf” to gain better understanding into the maritime and energy security dynamics in the Gulf. Discussion was led by subject matter experts on two panels: “The Relevance of the Gulf as a Global Energy Provider over the Next Decade” and “The Energy Security–Maritime Security in the Gulf and Beyond.” While the study day discussion was under Chatham House rules regarding non-attribution, NATO-ICI Regional Center and the NATO Strategic Direction South-Hub wished to preserve and analyze the discussion. They invited Dr. Shareefa Al-Adwani, assistant professor of political science in the Department of International Relations at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), to nominate undergraduate students to serve as researchers and co-authors of the analytical report.
Two AUK students were nominated: Ms. Rahaf Al-Bader, a senior student majoring in international relations, and Mr. Sabah Al-Sabah, a graduate of AUK with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations who is currently pursuing his master’s degree in development and international relations at Sapienza University of Rome and his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at AUK simultaneously. The students were selected based on their stellar academic performances in classes as well as their active participation in local and international conferences and lectures.
Mr. Al-Sabah, Ms. Al-Bader, and Dr. Al-Adwani coordinated a plan for composing the report whereby each would select various discussion topics on which they could report and add sources, research, and analyses. Dr. Al-Adwani then coordinated and compiled the sections, derived further implications, and integrated data visualizations where needed. The paper was written over several weeks while the authors were also fulfilling their full-time university responsibilities. The final draft was presented to the NIRC which was then approved by the NATO Strategic Direction South-Hub.
The authors were invited to the NATO-ICI Regional Center for an informal ceremony of appreciation regarding the paper. Sheikh Fawaz Meshal Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, assistant undersecretary for information and security follow-up at the National Security Bureau of Kuwait—which oversees the NIRC—expressed his gratitude to the authors for their speedy and accurate analytical report. Shaikha Dr. Alanoud Al-Sabah, acting director of NIRC, highlighted how important it was to connect students, academic writing, and local organizations, and that she looked forward to working with AUK students again. Colonel Filippo Marzio and Ms. Nora-Elise Beck from NATO attended the ceremony and presented NIRC certificates of appreciation to the report authors.
Ms. Al-Bader described her journey throughout this experience, “Being nominated and confirmed by NATO to be a co-author while I was in my senior year at university was a tremendous honor. To be acknowledged and receive recognition with our report being published by NATO was truly fulfilling. This shows that hard work and dedication never go unnoticed in life. I am beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity.” Mr. Al-Sabah agreed and commented, “It was an honor to participate in a study that deals with keeping our country and our region safe from security and economic threats.” Dr. Al-Adwani stated that she hoped for more events and opportunities like the NATO joint study day report so more AUK students could foster their personal and academic growth and accomplishments in line with AUK’s mission and vision.
The full paper can be accessed by clicking here:
Two AUK students were nominated: Ms. Rahaf Al-Bader, a senior student majoring in international relations, and Mr. Sabah Al-Sabah, a graduate of AUK with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations who is currently pursuing his master’s degree in development and international relations at Sapienza University of Rome and his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at AUK simultaneously. The students were selected based on their stellar academic performances in classes as well as their active participation in local and international conferences and lectures.
Mr. Al-Sabah, Ms. Al-Bader, and Dr. Al-Adwani coordinated a plan for composing the report whereby each would select various discussion topics on which they could report and add sources, research, and analyses. Dr. Al-Adwani then coordinated and compiled the sections, derived further implications, and integrated data visualizations where needed. The paper was written over several weeks while the authors were also fulfilling their full-time university responsibilities. The final draft was presented to the NIRC which was then approved by the NATO Strategic Direction South-Hub.
The authors were invited to the NATO-ICI Regional Center for an informal ceremony of appreciation regarding the paper. Sheikh Fawaz Meshal Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, assistant undersecretary for information and security follow-up at the National Security Bureau of Kuwait—which oversees the NIRC—expressed his gratitude to the authors for their speedy and accurate analytical report. Shaikha Dr. Alanoud Al-Sabah, acting director of NIRC, highlighted how important it was to connect students, academic writing, and local organizations, and that she looked forward to working with AUK students again. Colonel Filippo Marzio and Ms. Nora-Elise Beck from NATO attended the ceremony and presented NIRC certificates of appreciation to the report authors.
Ms. Al-Bader described her journey throughout this experience, “Being nominated and confirmed by NATO to be a co-author while I was in my senior year at university was a tremendous honor. To be acknowledged and receive recognition with our report being published by NATO was truly fulfilling. This shows that hard work and dedication never go unnoticed in life. I am beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity.” Mr. Al-Sabah agreed and commented, “It was an honor to participate in a study that deals with keeping our country and our region safe from security and economic threats.” Dr. Al-Adwani stated that she hoped for more events and opportunities like the NATO joint study day report so more AUK students could foster their personal and academic growth and accomplishments in line with AUK’s mission and vision.
The full paper can be accessed by clicking here:
Images from the event
01, Jun 2022
AUK Hosts 17th Annual Career Fair
AUK held its 17th annual Career Fair where each year employers from leading companies across Kuwait visit campus to discuss future employment opportunities with AUK students and alumni. This initiative is part of AUK's commitment to providing its community with opportunities to meet face-to-face with future employers to explore possible career options. The Career Fair was organized by AUK's Office of Alumni Affairs and Career Development (AACD) and took place in the AUK gymnasium.
The event offered a wide spectrum of full-time employment and internship opportunities. This year’s event was sponsored by K-net, Burgan Bank and Habchi & Chalhoub Trading W.L.L (Platinum Sponsors); Kamco Invest, Drops, ABK and Alghanim Industries (Gold Sponsors); MC Group, PwC and TABCo. Food (Silver sponsors) in addition to over 15 general participants.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, inaugurated the fair with a speech, the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a tour during which she discussed with the participating organizations their job offerings and required student qualifications. In her opening statement, Dr. Rawda talked about the unique qualities that AUK students possess, “Our students take individual initiative, and understand the value of collaboration, and teamwork; they have shown instances of empathy and compassion, and they have become aware of the broader challenges that any society faces, especially now. Most importantly, our students have learned how to learn. These qualities that you will find in our students will ensure your organization’s sustainable growth and development.”
Knet reflected upon their participation in this year’s career fair and what their involvement entails, “Knet’s participation comes as an affirmation of its keenness to support young talents and fresh graduates at the American University of Kuwait and to provide them with the opportunity to be employed in the private sector,” stated Knet’s representative.
The event also featured DOT—an interactive robot. DOT introduced the speakers and interacted with students and alumni to provide information about participating employers and their recruitment opportunities. DOT represented the theme of the career fair which is about the advancement of technology and how utilizing these advancements can simplify processes and expand the landscape of creativity.
Attendees interacted with the companies, among which was Burgan Bank where they gained a deeper understanding of the employment sector. “Burgan Bank’s participation in the AUK Career Fair represents a great opportunity to connect with alumni seeking careers or internships in the banking sector. Our presence in the fair highlights the importance we give to informing and inspiring talented youth aspiring for promising careers with an employer of choice,” affirmed Burgan Bank’s representative. Attendees also spoke with different professionals and were offered advice on how to apply for jobs. “As a job-seeking alumna, the career fair provides many opportunities to familiarize myself with the positions and opportunities provided by the leading companies in Kuwait,” said a student attending the fair.
These interactions demonstrated the AUK community’s knowledge and drive to pursue successful careers as observed by the representatives from Habchi & Chalhoub Trading W.L. L’s, “It is a privilege to be a part of this initiative with AUK and to be able to engage with young and energetic caliber of students. We look forward to collaborating in future initiatives and welcome AUK students to any potential work opportunities to visit our careers website.”
Some company representatives also included AUK graduates such as Hana Nasser who expressed her support of the event’s attendees, “As an alumna, I’m proud to represent my employer at the career fair, allowing me to see AUK from both lenses, as a student and an employee while supporting fellow students to build their career by making job opportunities available for the Wolf Pack.”
Gift bags, brochures, complementary treats, contact details, and CVs were exchanged between the exhibitors at the fair and the inquirers, creating a welcoming space to grow, develop, and learn.
The event offered a wide spectrum of full-time employment and internship opportunities. This year’s event was sponsored by K-net, Burgan Bank and Habchi & Chalhoub Trading W.L.L (Platinum Sponsors); Kamco Invest, Drops, ABK and Alghanim Industries (Gold Sponsors); MC Group, PwC and TABCo. Food (Silver sponsors) in addition to over 15 general participants.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, inaugurated the fair with a speech, the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a tour during which she discussed with the participating organizations their job offerings and required student qualifications. In her opening statement, Dr. Rawda talked about the unique qualities that AUK students possess, “Our students take individual initiative, and understand the value of collaboration, and teamwork; they have shown instances of empathy and compassion, and they have become aware of the broader challenges that any society faces, especially now. Most importantly, our students have learned how to learn. These qualities that you will find in our students will ensure your organization’s sustainable growth and development.”
Knet reflected upon their participation in this year’s career fair and what their involvement entails, “Knet’s participation comes as an affirmation of its keenness to support young talents and fresh graduates at the American University of Kuwait and to provide them with the opportunity to be employed in the private sector,” stated Knet’s representative.
The event also featured DOT—an interactive robot. DOT introduced the speakers and interacted with students and alumni to provide information about participating employers and their recruitment opportunities. DOT represented the theme of the career fair which is about the advancement of technology and how utilizing these advancements can simplify processes and expand the landscape of creativity.
Attendees interacted with the companies, among which was Burgan Bank where they gained a deeper understanding of the employment sector. “Burgan Bank’s participation in the AUK Career Fair represents a great opportunity to connect with alumni seeking careers or internships in the banking sector. Our presence in the fair highlights the importance we give to informing and inspiring talented youth aspiring for promising careers with an employer of choice,” affirmed Burgan Bank’s representative. Attendees also spoke with different professionals and were offered advice on how to apply for jobs. “As a job-seeking alumna, the career fair provides many opportunities to familiarize myself with the positions and opportunities provided by the leading companies in Kuwait,” said a student attending the fair.
These interactions demonstrated the AUK community’s knowledge and drive to pursue successful careers as observed by the representatives from Habchi & Chalhoub Trading W.L. L’s, “It is a privilege to be a part of this initiative with AUK and to be able to engage with young and energetic caliber of students. We look forward to collaborating in future initiatives and welcome AUK students to any potential work opportunities to visit our careers website.”
Some company representatives also included AUK graduates such as Hana Nasser who expressed her support of the event’s attendees, “As an alumna, I’m proud to represent my employer at the career fair, allowing me to see AUK from both lenses, as a student and an employee while supporting fellow students to build their career by making job opportunities available for the Wolf Pack.”
Gift bags, brochures, complementary treats, contact details, and CVs were exchanged between the exhibitors at the fair and the inquirers, creating a welcoming space to grow, develop, and learn.
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, giving her opening statement
AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, and platinum sponsors during the ribbon cutting ceremony
AUK's robot, DOT, in the career annual fair
30, May 2022
AUK Art & Graphic Design Department Launches 15th Annual Capstone Exhibition
The Art & Graphic Design Department at AUK launched its 15th annual Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition which took place at the Promenade Cultural Centre. The exhibition offered senior students an opportunity to display their creative work, which covered a range of themes, including social and cultural awareness, corporate identity, and entrepreneurship.
The exhibition ran for one week and participating students were evaluated by industry experts based on their creativity and presentation, their ability to conduct and use graphic design research strategy effectively, and their ability to plan and implement a compelling graphic design display.
The chair of the Art & Graphic Design Department, Professor William Anderson, talked about the exhibition and what it represents, “After a two-year hiatus on in-person exhibitions, AUK's Art & Graphic Design Department is proud to present the Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition 2022. The exhibition showcases the final large-scale projects of graduating graphic design majors. Their capstone projects bring together all of the knowledge and skills they have acquired at AUK and shines a light on their talent and creativity."
Held on an annual basis, the Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition brings together visitors from the field of graphic design, including experts from graphic design studios, publishing houses, film and video production companies, advertising, and multimedia firms.
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Claire Giddings, expressed her pride towards AUK’s students and the effort they put in, “I’m really proud of our students for an amazing capstone exhibition, particularly overcoming all the obstacles we faced this semester. The work is quite amazing and diverse and really celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of our students.”
AUK’s Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition presents an opportunity for senior students to fully incorporate their design strengths and learning into a focused and extended process of research and visual expression.
Saba Al-Enezi, a digital artist who was one of AUK’s participating exhibitors discussed how the University aided her in reaching her full potential, “The art department is the best. They helped me through my projects and made me feel confident and secure. AUK is such a safe community that allows you to express yourself and your art.”
Students and visitors interacted and shared details and information about their art projects, illustrating AUK’s high departmental standard and quality of work.
The exhibition ran for one week and participating students were evaluated by industry experts based on their creativity and presentation, their ability to conduct and use graphic design research strategy effectively, and their ability to plan and implement a compelling graphic design display.
The chair of the Art & Graphic Design Department, Professor William Anderson, talked about the exhibition and what it represents, “After a two-year hiatus on in-person exhibitions, AUK's Art & Graphic Design Department is proud to present the Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition 2022. The exhibition showcases the final large-scale projects of graduating graphic design majors. Their capstone projects bring together all of the knowledge and skills they have acquired at AUK and shines a light on their talent and creativity."
Held on an annual basis, the Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition brings together visitors from the field of graphic design, including experts from graphic design studios, publishing houses, film and video production companies, advertising, and multimedia firms.
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Claire Giddings, expressed her pride towards AUK’s students and the effort they put in, “I’m really proud of our students for an amazing capstone exhibition, particularly overcoming all the obstacles we faced this semester. The work is quite amazing and diverse and really celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of our students.”
AUK’s Graphic Design Capstone Exhibition presents an opportunity for senior students to fully incorporate their design strengths and learning into a focused and extended process of research and visual expression.
Saba Al-Enezi, a digital artist who was one of AUK’s participating exhibitors discussed how the University aided her in reaching her full potential, “The art department is the best. They helped me through my projects and made me feel confident and secure. AUK is such a safe community that allows you to express yourself and your art.”
Students and visitors interacted and shared details and information about their art projects, illustrating AUK’s high departmental standard and quality of work.
Click on the image to view the photo gallery
26, May 2022
AUK Hosts Fifth Talk of Faculty Speaker Series
AUK hosted the fifth and final talk of the Faculty Speaker Series for the academic year 2021-2022 entitled “A New Simple Programming Language for Education” presented by associate professor of computer science, Dr. Aaron Rababah, from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Attendees included AUK’s president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, faculty members, students, and members of the general public.
Dr. Aaron shared with the viewers his technical experience in developing a new programming language called SIMPLE which stands for “Simple Imperative-Model Programming Language for Education”. The new language is a complied procedural language that aims to simplify programming syntax and to relieve beginners from advanced programming concepts.
The inspiration behind this project is the lack of literature available in the engineering and computer science field to develop programming languages from scratch. Dr. Aaron added that he developed this language as he observed great educational benefits to exposing students to the process of creating and programming a language.
SIMPLE has been extensively tested using more than 60 different test programs designed carefully to target language elements and features. The final tests showed that the language is reliable and ready to be adopted in education.
The talk wrapped up with a Q&A session with the attendees where Dr. Aaron was asked about the advantages of SIMPLE over other programs, he stated, “You don’t get to see the whole depth of abstractions levels from the high level all the way to the machine code, I chose that path which is a pure compilation because it is the deepest, and I wanted to go across these levels just for the learning objectives that I have”. He also added, “It definitely carries much more weight and much more opportunities for us to learn.”
The Faculty Speaker Series is a platform that enables faculty members to showcase their research and scholarly accomplishments. The event also allows AUK to make a difference in the community both in Kuwait and beyond by spreading knowledge and awareness about various topics while offering an opportunity to the general public to take part in the AUK experience.
Dr. Aaron shared with the viewers his technical experience in developing a new programming language called SIMPLE which stands for “Simple Imperative-Model Programming Language for Education”. The new language is a complied procedural language that aims to simplify programming syntax and to relieve beginners from advanced programming concepts.
The inspiration behind this project is the lack of literature available in the engineering and computer science field to develop programming languages from scratch. Dr. Aaron added that he developed this language as he observed great educational benefits to exposing students to the process of creating and programming a language.
SIMPLE has been extensively tested using more than 60 different test programs designed carefully to target language elements and features. The final tests showed that the language is reliable and ready to be adopted in education.
The talk wrapped up with a Q&A session with the attendees where Dr. Aaron was asked about the advantages of SIMPLE over other programs, he stated, “You don’t get to see the whole depth of abstractions levels from the high level all the way to the machine code, I chose that path which is a pure compilation because it is the deepest, and I wanted to go across these levels just for the learning objectives that I have”. He also added, “It definitely carries much more weight and much more opportunities for us to learn.”
The Faculty Speaker Series is a platform that enables faculty members to showcase their research and scholarly accomplishments. The event also allows AUK to make a difference in the community both in Kuwait and beyond by spreading knowledge and awareness about various topics while offering an opportunity to the general public to take part in the AUK experience.
Group photo of the lecture attendees
24, May 2022
AUK Hosted Masterclass Series Event with DJ Bonita
AUK hosted the first Masterclass Series event for the spring 2022 semester entitled, “Learn About DJing and Turn Your Passion into a Career” presented by AUK alumna Farah Bishara, also known as DJ Bonita. Attendees included AUK’s Office of Student Life, staff members, and students. The event involved a talk by DJ Bonita about her journey as a female DJ in the Arab world. She also demonstrated the steps of learning how to create a DJ mix using her equipment.
DJ Bonita’s journey began when she first started her career in radio during 2012 in which she hosted a daily Hip-Hop radio show on Kuwait's English station, 99.7 RKFM. 5 years later, Farah made DJing her full-time career, working with local and international brands, special events, and private celebrations.
DJ Bonita has worked with international and local brands, restaurants, gyms, and yoga centers which was an important step in her career as a DJ as it provided more exposure of her talents. Following her passion for DJing and music, Farah is now running & managing Vinyl Destination, Kuwait's first record store. Vinyl Destination initially started as a record store and has now expanded into a broader space that brings together lovers of music, food, and street culture through events that feature a wide selection of vinyl and music memorabilia.
DJ Bonita ended the masterclass event by giving a motivational talk to the audience, encouraging all students to aim for good grades in university and to follow their passions and turn them into lifelong careers.
DJ Bonita’s journey began when she first started her career in radio during 2012 in which she hosted a daily Hip-Hop radio show on Kuwait's English station, 99.7 RKFM. 5 years later, Farah made DJing her full-time career, working with local and international brands, special events, and private celebrations.
DJ Bonita has worked with international and local brands, restaurants, gyms, and yoga centers which was an important step in her career as a DJ as it provided more exposure of her talents. Following her passion for DJing and music, Farah is now running & managing Vinyl Destination, Kuwait's first record store. Vinyl Destination initially started as a record store and has now expanded into a broader space that brings together lovers of music, food, and street culture through events that feature a wide selection of vinyl and music memorabilia.
DJ Bonita ended the masterclass event by giving a motivational talk to the audience, encouraging all students to aim for good grades in university and to follow their passions and turn them into lifelong careers.
AUK alumna, Farah Bishara, demonstrating how she uses her equipment and giving a lecture about her journey as a DJ
AUK alumna, Farah Bishara, demonstrating how she uses her equipment and giving a lecture about her journey as a DJ
23, May 2022
AUK participates in “DERASTI” university exhibition
AUK participated in the “Derasti” university exhibition that took place in the Avenues Mall. AUK was present alongside 15 other local universities. AUK’s Office of Admissions and Center for Continuing Education (CCE) were available to answer inquiries from parents and prospective students seeking to further their education.
The admissions director, Mr. Maher Dabbouseh, expressed his enthusiasm about the exhibition, “We’re excited to have students back on campus. AUK is the only university in Kuwait with an Ivy League partner (Dartmouth College), and we take pride in recruiting the best students in Kuwait.”
Ms. Nehal El-Shafai, CCE director, discussed how the center displayed its complete one-stop-shop for better learning experiences during the exhibition, “We do not just think about being future-ready but lead the way through our innovative professional and career development programs for various audiences.”
Mr. Maher Dabbouseh, admissions counselors, and the CCE representative offered information about campus life and the different academic and training programs, services, workshops, courses, degrees, IEP program, and scholarships.
Prospect cards, gift bags, flyers, and brochures were distributed and contact was established between inquirers and the spokespeople available at the booth.
The exhibition provided an opportunity for universities to not only promote themselves but also provide information to the visitors about their institutions.
The admissions director, Mr. Maher Dabbouseh, expressed his enthusiasm about the exhibition, “We’re excited to have students back on campus. AUK is the only university in Kuwait with an Ivy League partner (Dartmouth College), and we take pride in recruiting the best students in Kuwait.”
Ms. Nehal El-Shafai, CCE director, discussed how the center displayed its complete one-stop-shop for better learning experiences during the exhibition, “We do not just think about being future-ready but lead the way through our innovative professional and career development programs for various audiences.”
Mr. Maher Dabbouseh, admissions counselors, and the CCE representative offered information about campus life and the different academic and training programs, services, workshops, courses, degrees, IEP program, and scholarships.
Prospect cards, gift bags, flyers, and brochures were distributed and contact was established between inquirers and the spokespeople available at the booth.
The exhibition provided an opportunity for universities to not only promote themselves but also provide information to the visitors about their institutions.
Admissions Director, Mr. Maher Dabbouseh, with admission counselors and CCE representative.
Below: AUK Admissions Director and staff answering visitors' inquiries.
Below: AUK Admissions Director and staff answering visitors' inquiries.
12, May 2022
AUK Renews Credit Transfer Agreement with K-Tech
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) renewed its transfer articulation agreement with Kuwait Technical College (K-Tech) to facilitate credit transfer between the respective institutions to provide a smooth transition for their students from one related program to another.
The signing ceremony was attended by the chairman of K-Tech, Mr. Meshari Boodai; vice president of finance & administration, Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Ajeel; vice president for student affairs & registration, Ms. Noura Boodai; and head of Student Career Services, Ms. Emman Al-Shatti. AUK attendees included the president, Dr. Rawda Awwad; executive vice president, Ms. Amal Al-Binali; and the University registrar, Mohammed Da’na.
Mr. Boodai expanded on the agreement’s mission, "This agreement is to facilitate the transfer of a maximum number of credits from K-Tech to AUK academic programs to ease diploma students’ journey in pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. This agreement comes within the framework of the two institutions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with all academic institutions with new experiences that they we will offer for K-Tech graduates,” he said.
The transfer articulation agreement covers many diploma programs from K-Tech that are transferable to AUK’s related undergraduate programs. Dr. Rawda Awwad commented on the significance of this agreement by stating, “AUK is about creating, sustaining, and expanding an educational experience that is unique and aspirational. Our agreement with K-Tech provides its student constituents access to a liberal arts education where knowledge and skills serve as the cornerstones for lifelong learning and professional success. We, therefore, welcome this agreement which focuses on the need of all students and provides them with the means to make important and constructive life choices.”
